Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez and Federico Valverde struck late goals to secure a 3-1 win against Sevilla in La Liga on Saturday.
Luka Modric put the champions ahead after five minutes, slotting a low Vinicius Jr cross into an empty net.
Real then dominated but wasted several opportunities and allowed Sevilla back into the game in the 54th when Erik Lamela ghosted behind the defence to equalise from close range.
However, Vinicius Jr shone again with a brilliant run into the middle before giving a short pass to Lucas Vazquez who scored with a precise shot from inside the box in the 79th.
Valverde wrapped up the win with an unstoppable strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Real lead the standings on 31 points. Record six-time Europa League winners Sevilla have won only two matches in all competitions this season.
They sacked manager Julen Lopetegui after their worst start to a league season since being promoted back to the top flight in 2001 and hired Argentine Jorge Sampaoli for a second stint at the club.
But after going three games without a loss, the new manager bounce ended at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Missing striker Karim Benzema with muscle fatigue in his left leg, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti used Rodrygo up front and he connected well with Vinicius Jr and Valverde running the channels.
Two second-half goals from Antoine Griezmann, one scored directly from a corner kick, gave Atletico Madrid a 2-1 win at Real Betis, extending their unbeaten run in league to five games.
Atletico climbed back to third in the standings on 23 points, eight behind Madrid.
Griezmann opened the scoring in the 54th minute, scoring directly from a perfectly placed corner kick past Rui Silva. Fifteen minutes later Griezmann’s right-footed shot went through Silva’s legs and into the bottom right corner.